MassChallenge founder urges membership to think big

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2012 at 12:01 AM

ACUSHNET — Businesses and entrepreneurs should think big with their ideas in a way that will create lasting value for society rather than just increasing the economic flow for a single company, John Harthorne, founder and CEO of MassChallenge, told business leaders at the 126th meeting of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

Beth Perdue

ACUSHNET — Businesses and entrepreneurs should think big with their ideas in a way that will create lasting value for society rather than just increasing the economic flow for a single company, John Harthorne, founder and CEO of MassChallenge, told business leaders at the 126th meeting of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

Keynote speaker for the event, Harthorne advocated for implementing ideas on a larger scale by targeting groups and partners at a systems level, one step up from individual businesses, to create value and economic growth.

"People tend to think of just themselves, how do you get more customers and increase your own flow," he said. But "you can optimize the system with far greater effectiveness by organizing those players together rather than thinking of them as individual components."

In 2009, Harthorne got firsthand experience in implementing a systems approach by launching the Boston-based MassChallenge. Designed like an "American Idol" competition for businesses, MassChallenge functions as a unique start-up accelerator that provides new businesses with the resources they need for success.

To date, MassChallenge has helped 361 start-ups, which have collectively raised $360 million in funding, generated $95 million in revenues, and created 2,910 jobs.

The nonprofit's message to entrepreneurs is "bring out your most innovative ideas and we'll support them with whatever you need," Harthorne said.

In his meeting comments, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell urged the chamber audience to consider how MassChallenge's mission fits within the SouthCoast environment and challenged the idea that the region does not have what it takes to support a technology sector.

"It is something that we need to be thinking about and the possibilities here are very real," Mitchell said. "I submit a lot of the ingredients are here."

During the annual meeting, chamber leadership officially changed hands with new board president Mary Harrington, chief operation officer at the Schwartz Center for Children, accepting the gavel from outgoing president Lynne Mastera, chief financial officer at Precix Inc.

The chamber also recognized three area businesses for their economic impact on the region, creating or retaining jobs, improving the general appearance of the community, and generating economic growth.

The annual economic impact awards went to Colonial Honda, of Dartmouth, for its 2010 purchase and renovation of the former Dartmouth Dodge facility on State Road, a nearly $8 million project that led to 19 new jobs; Fairhaven Shipyard, in Fairhaven, for its recent expansion, including the purchase and installation of a travel lift, the installation of a 700kW solar power generation system and the creation of 10 new skilled trade jobs; and UpSource Inc., a call center that opened in a renovated mill space on Belleville Avenue in June that employs about 60 people and plans to increase that number to 90 by January.

Also honored at the meeting was local real estate and insurance businessman Jose Castelo, owner of The Castelo Group, for his longtime service to the community and chamber. Castelo, who has served on the chamber board since 1994, deferred praise by telling business leaders that others have done more, including his family who kept his business running successfully while he was out in the community.

"I do what I can for my community because I enjoy doing it, not because I need awards," said Castelo. "I think there are plenty of others who are worthy of the award as well, some probably even more than me."